After saving tawilis, the world’s only freshwater sardine, from possible extinction, state researchers are now stepping up efforts to spare white goby or biyang puti, which is abundantly grown in Naujan Lake in Oriental Mindoro, from “overexploitation”.
The three-year, P10.9-million “Conservation and Aquaculture Research and Development Project for Glossogobius giuris (Biyang Puti) in Naujan Lake” has been given the green light to be implemented, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) has bared.
“Due to its abundance and popularity as dried fish in the market, the indigenous fish is in danger of being overexploited. To address this, a project titled, “Conservation and Aquaculture Research and Development Project for Glossogobius giuris (Biyang Puti) in Naujan Lake” was recently approved for implementation,” the Council said in a statement.
The project, funded by the DOST-PCAARRD, is being implemented by Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology (MinSCAT), one of the 11-member agencies of the MIMAROPA Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (MAARRDEC), which aims to address the region’s research and development concerns on marine and freshwater ecosystems.
Dr. Katherine P. Sanchez-Escalona has been designated as the project leader.
"The project is expected to provide baseline data for the conservation and management of Naujan Goby population as well as develop the basic protocol for pond culture of the species,” the DOST-PCAARRD said.
"Overall, this project is anticipated to contribute to the biodiversity conservation measures for Naujan Lake National Park with a balanced view of the species’ ecology and its commercial potentials,” it added.